Sponsors: Representatives Hinkle, Chopp, Haigh, Woods, Dunshee, Kirby, Boldt, O'Brien, Armstrong, DeBolt, Ahern, Newhouse, Simpson, Holmquist, Cairnes, Sump, Pearson, Shabro, Delvin, Hudgins, Linville, Conway, Skinner, Sullivan and Kenney.

Brief Summary of Bill

• Requests the United States Postal Service to create a postage stamp commemorating American coal miners.

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 12 members: Representatives Linville, Chair; Rockefeller, Vice Chair; Schoesler, Ranking Minority Member; Holmquist, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Kristiansen, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Chandler, Eickmeyer, Grant, McDermott, Orcutt, Quall and Sump.

The mining of coal has occurred throughout the United States for many years. Coal deposits are scattered throughout the United States, including sites in Washington. The United States Geological Survey reported the United States has a coal reserve base of approximately 475 billion tons.

The United States Postal Service (USPS) has issued a variety of commemorative stamps in recent years. A commemorative stamp may be issued in limited quantities and for a limited time in observance of historical events, in honor of noted Americans, and on topics of national importance. Examples of commemorative stamps previously issued by the USPS are stamps featuring baseball legends, Hawaiian missionaries, women in journalism, and masters of American photography.

The Legislature requests that the United States Postal Service issue a postage stamp commemorating American coal miners as a way to illustrate a colorful and historically rich segment of society for school children, educators, stamp collectors, and the public. This request is addressed to President Bush, the United States Senate and House of Representatives, the United States Postmaster General, and the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee of the United States Postal Service.

The efforts of American coal miners and the coal mining industry's benefits to the United States economy and energy supplies are identified.

Testimony For: The prime sponsor had the privilege of working on a memorial for coal miners in Roslyn. This bill encourages the United States Postal Service to acknowledge coal miners and the coal mining industry's role in the foundation of this nation's industrial revolution.